Meet our Members: WEP Firefighter Emma Farrell
This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Work Experience Firefighter Emma Farrell.
Emma will be at Comox Fire Rescue for approximately 100 days working 40 hours a week as a voluntary position gaining valuable experience in the department's Work Experience Program (WEP).
WEP members live at the firehall during their stay allowing them to gain experience responding to calls as well as training.
Was there a specific even that first interested you in becoming a fire fighter?
I wanted a job that was dynamic and that wasn’t in an office environment. When I started exploring different career paths I found that every firefighter I spoke to truly loved their job. Once I started going down this road I realized that I truly enjoy being a first responder and haven’t looked back since. Comox is a truly beautiful place. I’m so excited to learn at this facility and I can’t think of a better place to spend the next 100 days.
Tell us about your family.
I was born an only child in Vancouver before my parents moved us to Lake Country, BC. My mom was a radio personality in Vancouver for 15 years.
My dad is an avid cyclist and fisherman who originally introduced me to Comox when he started taking me to this part of the island on fishing trips.
What is your regular “Day Job”?
For the past two years I’ve worked at a womens shelter in Vancouvers DTES. On the winter weekends I patrol at Mt Seymour.
Tell us about your passion in life
I really enjoy learning new skills. During the pandemic I took sign language classes over zoom and am teaching myself Spanish. I worked for years in fine dining where I learned so much about cooking with seasonal ingredients. I’ve taken to ski patrol because there is so much to learn in a practical environment. Otherwise I love being outside, surfing, hiking, and cooking on a fire.
Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.
Fishing just off of Hornby and seeing a pod of orcas swim circles around grey whales. And seeing the northern lights in Yellowknife earlier this month.
Do you have any fire service goals?
My ultimate goal is to become a career firefighter for the City of Vancouver.
“We are very excited to have Emma join our Work Experience Program.” says Comox Fire Chief, Gord Schreiner. “She will be living at the fire station for up to 100 days. This will allow her to gain a great deal of experience. “
Comox Fire has had several firefighters over the last years, with many moving on to full time fire fighting careers. The WEPs receive NO pay, but they are provided a bedroom in the fire station.
Thanks for joining our team Emma!